Maryland Child Support Calculator
Estimate Maryland child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Md. Code, Family Law §§ 12-201 to 12-204. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.
Maryland follows the Income Shares model under Maryland Family Law §§ 12-201 to 12-204. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.
Maryland uses a shared physical custody formula when each parent has the child for at least 92 overnights per year. Once you cross that overnight threshold, the calculation shifts to account for both households' direct spending on the child, which usually lowers the higher earner's payment. Below that level, the basic guideline obligation applies and the noncustodial parent typically pays a straight share. This on-page tool only estimates the result, so confirm your overnight count against the official Maryland worksheet.
Under Maryland Family Law 12-201 to 12-204, the cost of the children's health insurance premium is added on top of the basic support obligation. The parents split that premium in proportion to their share of combined gross income, the same way the base number is divided. Extraordinary or uninsured medical expenses are handled as a separate add-on. The calculator estimates these splits, but the figures the court enters on the official guideline worksheet control.
Work-related child care is a recognized adjustment in Maryland. Daycare or after-school care that a parent pays so they can work is added to the basic obligation and then divided between the parents according to each one's percentage of combined gross income. Keep receipts and provider statements, because the amount entered on the official worksheet is what the court uses. The estimate here is a starting point only and is not legal advice.
Maryland's guideline number is presumed correct, but a judge may deviate when applying it would be unjust or inappropriate for a particular child. The parent who wants a different amount has to ask for the deviation and show why the guideline figure does not fit, and the court must put its reasons on the record. Common grounds include special needs or unusual expenses. This calculator cannot predict a deviation, so a licensed Maryland attorney should review your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Maryland?
Maryland follows the Income Shares model under Maryland Family Law 12-201 to 12-204. The court first adds both parents' monthly gross incomes together. It then looks up the basic support obligation on the state guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children. That obligation is split between the parents in proportion to each parent's percentage share of the combined income, so the higher earner carries the larger portion. Add-ons such as health insurance and work-related child care are layered on and divided the same way. The calculator on this page estimates that result, but the official worksheet and a judge control the final order.
Is there an official Maryland child support worksheet I should use?
Yes. Maryland's guideline calculation is run on the official worksheet maintained by the Maryland Child Support Administration within the Department of Human Services. That worksheet, not any informal estimate, is the controlling form the court relies on, and you can reach the agency's calculators through the Child Support Administration website. It captures each parent's gross income, the overnight arrangement, and add-ons like insurance and daycare. The estimate you get here is meant to help you prepare, but you should complete or verify the official Maryland worksheet and have a licensed attorney review it before relying on any number.
How does shared custody change child support in Maryland?
Maryland switches to a shared physical custody formula when each parent keeps the child for at least 92 overnights in a year. Once both parents pass that threshold, the calculation accounts for the time and direct costs in each home, which usually reduces the amount the higher earner owes compared to a sole custody order. If one parent stays below 92 overnights, the standard guideline split under Family Law 12-201 to 12-204 applies instead. Because the overnight count drives the math, confirm it carefully, since this page only gives an estimate and the official worksheet controls.
How is income counted for Maryland child support?
Maryland uses actual monthly gross income from nearly any source. That includes salary, wages, commissions, self-employment net earnings, severance, pensions, dividends, interest, and rental income. It also reaches Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, alimony received, and capital gains. Because the Income Shares model combines both parents' gross income before splitting the obligation, an accurate income figure for each parent is essential. Self-employed parents should be ready to document net earnings. The calculator here estimates support from the numbers you enter, but the official Maryland worksheet and the court decide what income counts in your case.
What happens to a Maryland child support order if my income changes?
Maryland lets either parent ask to change an existing order. You can file a motion to modify in circuit court or request a review through the Maryland Child Support Administration. The court will generally update the order if there is a 25 percent variance between the current amount and a fresh guideline calculation, or if there has been a material change of circumstances such as a job loss or a major income shift. Filing promptly matters because the court sets when any new amount takes effect, so do not wait. This tool only estimates a new figure, and a judge sets the actual order.
When does child support end in Maryland?
In Maryland, child support typically ends when the child turns 18. It can extend to age 19 if the child is still a full-time secondary school student at that point, so support may continue through the end of high school. Maryland also allows continuing support for a disabled adult child who cannot support themselves. Support does not automatically stop the day a child reaches the age of majority if other children remain on the order, so the amount may need recalculating. The estimate here cannot decide your end date, so confirm it with the official worksheet or a Maryland attorney.
How does Maryland enforce a child support order?
The Maryland Child Support Administration has strong enforcement tools. Most orders are collected through immediate income withholding straight from the paying parent's paycheck. If a parent falls behind, the agency can intercept state and federal tax refunds, suspend driver's and professional licenses, report the debt to credit bureaus, file liens, and deny passport applications. Persistent nonpayment can lead to a contempt referral in court. Past-due support, or arrears, generally remains owed until it is paid in full. These tools are run by the agency and the courts, not by this calculator, which only estimates the ongoing support amount.